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View synonyms for

factor

[ fak-ter ]

noun

  1. one of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation:

    Poverty is only one of the factors in crime.

  2. Mathematics. one of two or more numbers, algebraic expressions, or the like, that when multiplied together produce a given product; a divisor:

    6 and 3 are factors of 18.

  3. Biochemistry. any of certain substances necessary to a biochemical or physiological process, especially those whose exact nature and function are unknown.
  4. a business organization that lends money on accounts receivable or buys and collects accounts receivable.
  5. a person who acts or transacts business for another; an agent.
  6. an agent entrusted with the possession of goods to be sold in the agent's name; a merchant earning a commission by selling goods belonging to others.
  7. a person or business organization that provides money for another's new business venture; one who finances another's business.
  8. Scot. the steward or bailiff of an estate.


verb (used with object)

  1. Mathematics. to express (a mathematical quantity) as a product of two or more quantities of like kind, as 30 = 2·3·5, or x 2 y 2 = ( x + y ) ( x − y ). Compare expand ( def 4a ).
  2. to act as a factor for.

verb (used without object)

  1. to act as a factor.

verb phrase

  1. to include as an essential element, especially in forecasting or planning:

    You must factor insurance payments into the cost of maintaining a car.

factor

/ ˈæə /

noun

  1. an element or cause that contributes to a result
  2. maths
    1. one of two or more integers or polynomials whose product is a given integer or polynomial

      2 and 3 are factors of 6

    2. an integer or polynomial that can be exactly divided into another integer or polynomial

      1, 2, 3, and 6 are all factors of 6

  3. foll by identifying numeral med any of several substances that participate in the clotting of blood

    factor VIII

  4. a person who acts on another's behalf, esp one who transacts business for another
  5. commerce a business that makes loans in return for or on security of trade debts
  6. former name for a gene
  7. commercial law a person to whom goods are consigned for sale and who is paid a factorage
  8. (in Scotland) the manager of an estate
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. intr to engage in the business of a factor
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

factor

Noun

  1. One of two or more numbers or expressions that are multiplied to obtain a given product. For example, 2 and 3 are factors of 6, and a + b and a b are factors of a 2b 2.
  2. A substance found in the body, such as a protein, that is essential to a biological process. For example, growth factors are needed for proper cell growth and development.

Verb

  1. To find the factors of a number or expression. For example, the number 12 can be factored into 2 and 6, or 3 and 4, or 1 and 12.
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Usage

Factor (sense 1) should only be used to refer to something which contributes to a result. It should not be used to refer to a part of something such as a plan or arrangement; instead a word such as component or element should be used
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Derived Forms

  • ˈڲٴǰ, adjective
  • ˌڲٴǰˈٲ, noun
  • ˈڲٴǰˌ󾱱, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ڲtǰ·· adjective
  • ڲtǰ··i·ٲ noun
  • ڲtǰ·󾱱 noun
  • ܲ·ڲtǰ noun
  • ܲd·ڲtǰ noun
  • un·ڲtǰ·· adjective
  • ܲ·ڲtǰ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of factor1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English facto(u)r, from Latin factor “maker, perpetrator,” equivalent to fac(ere) “to make, do” + -tor agent noun suffix; -tor
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Word History and Origins

Origin of factor1

C15: from Latin: one who acts, from facere to do
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But experts say earthquakes are impossible to predict due to the complexity of the factors involved in such disasters.

From

"All of these places have flat floors. Why would you want the added expense of a very complex form factor... when you could just put it on a mobile base?" he asks.

From

On Tuesday, the State Bar told The Times that all questions were reviewed by content validation panels and subject matter experts ahead of the exam for factors including legal accuracy, minimum competence and potential bias.

From

There could also be interest from Saudi Arabia, but his family will be a factor in any future destination as Vardy and wife Rebekah share five children.

From

To address this, in our “Reduce the Wait” study we are developing individualized scoring algorithms that account for factors like biological sex to ensure more accurate assessments.

From

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